PEASEY Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Hello one and all,after having my discovery now for about five months i must say im very happy with all aspects of it,although I have just had my first problem that i dont know where to start from so i need to get your thoughts before i start buying new bits.The 300 tdi auto discovery has never had any problems starting and fires instantly on the first rotation of the engine until the recent temperature drop,however over the past few day it has been struggling.When it fires its as if its running on 3 cylinders and i get whiteish blue smoke out from the exhaust that smells of diesel,would i be correct in thinking that i may need a new set of glow plugs?When she is reved and warms a little its back to its old self with no starting probs even if left to cool.I have also read some where that the lift pump can cause some issues with starting am i correct?Oh and i dont use any thing other than diesel from shell so no cooking oil is in the tank.I have seen conflicting post about starting some saying that the glows are not needed until the outside temp is well bellow freezing and some say it does need them so im confused,its not using any oil or coolent and runs fine when its been reved for about 5 seconds.Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvio Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Being at least 10 year-old, and supposing they were never changed, I beleive that a set of new glow plugs is due. It's a simple, straightforward job, not so expensive in parts; no need to go to the dealer's, any diesel specialist can supply you with the correct ones, from a reputable make (Bosch, Beru...). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotal Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 If you have EDC, which is very likely on a 300tdi Auto (it was introduced in 1995) Then they are very sensitive to glow plugs and require all to be in top condition. They require them when the temperature is about 10 degrees C never mind freezing point! If it's a manual fuel injection pump then you can get away without them as they dump a load of fuel in on startup. As Silvio says don't buy cheap glow plugs - I was told to make sure I got OEM ones which IIRC were Beru. The lift pump could cause problems, but I'd check the glows first. If you do go for a lift pump make sure you don't use a cheap one, again go OEM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEASEY Posted October 3, 2008 Author Share Posted October 3, 2008 Thanks lads,i think that i will be investing in some new glow plugs then.Its not an EDC model so i think you are spot on sotal when you say its just dumping a load of fuel in hence the clouds of smoke on start up,cheers,paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotal Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 If it's not an EDC like you say then I'd be surprised that it would be that bad without glow plugs, so it might be something else. If you take the glow plugs out, then clamp the main metal part in a black jump lead, and touch the end where the wire goes with the red jump lead (obviously connect the other ends up to a battery!) The glow plugs should quickly glow red, you want them to all heat up with equal speed and to glow at the tips not half way down. If they all glow and all seem fine, I'd save your money for the lift pump! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinny Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Thanks lads,i think that i will be investing in some new glow plugs then.Its not an EDC model so i think you are spot on sotal when you say its just dumping a load of fuel in hence the clouds of smoke on start up,cheers,paul. motor parts direct in braintree were doing some good deals on glow plugs there on springwood ind est or there is one in colchester .chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Glow plugs don't really have a life span like spark plugs do, so you can remove and test them - then just replace the ones that are faulty. Glow plugs are about £6 each. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAttrill Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 I've only ever come across two EDC 300Tdis, and both were murder to start. I don't give much hope for the starter motor life on them. And of course, being automatics you can't push start them. It's rather strange because the standard 300Tdi is a great starter so long as the engine has some compression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry_pl Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Did You change Oil, what kind do You have ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEASEY Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share Posted October 5, 2008 the oil was changed about 4k ago and im using the castrol diesel oil not magnatec and i think its 10/40 or something like that ever since i have changed the oil its been running like a swiss watch,would the oil have caused this starting issue?As im going to be giving it a full service when it hits 5k do you think that i should change the oil now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patch1 Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Sorry if this sounds dum but what's a EDC 300Tdi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEASEY Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share Posted October 5, 2008 Basicly the fuel pump is controlled by sensors and such instead of a throttle cable as a non edc one is.im not sure what EDC stands for,I have heard the edc system also called fly by wire so you get the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 electronic diesel control = a bit more power and a lot more to go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patch1 Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Sounds like something elles to go wrong to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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